Cloaked in Beauty

Texas Ever After #3

by Karen Witemeyer

In the heart of the Piney Woods of Texas, Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit. Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one day to get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to Letty grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping her out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart. "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Sleeping Beauty" entwine for a romantic fairy tale retelling that explores the power of true love conquering even the darkest of nights.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical, Westerns, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2024

About the author

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline.

Karen also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Amanda (BookLoverAmanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer
Book 3 in the Texas Ever After series
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

We are in Piney Woods, Texas where Letty Hood has been hidden from her uncle who wants to claim her inheritance from her father before she turns 21. Philip Carmichael is a experienced Pinkerton agent that is hired to find Letty before something bad happens to her. This is a heartwarming story of resilience and trusting in the Lord's plan. I love that Karen was inspired by tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty, as it makes a great fairytale retelling.

Letty's character is strong and courageous, which I loved. After years of being in hiding from her uncle, she is thrown into a dangerous journey to claim her inheritance and freedom. Seeing her and Philip together was perfect, as he was a great companion with her. He sees her bravery for what it is up front and you see the mutual admiration they have for one another. I wanted a bit more in the romance personally, but overall enjoyed the book!

A clean historical romance with a fairytale spin - highly recommend! You can also read this as a standalone in the series, as this doesn't specifically have any ties to the previous books in the series.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy to honestly read and review.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Texas Ever After series. They are all standalones though, so they can be read in any order. This story combines two fairy tales in one, and I was very curious how the author was going to do Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood together. It worked so well together! I really loved it! Letty also known as Letty Hood gets sent to her “Grandmother’s house” to escape the “Dragon”, her uncle, she even has a pet wolf. She has to stay hidden until her 21st birthday. Philip who is a Pinkerton agent, gets sent by Letty’s mother to go and retrieve Letty. Philip and Letty and the wolf, Rusty, go on their journey back to her mother but they must be careful so her uncle won’t catch her. Like I said, brilliant on combining the stories. I really loved watching these characters relationship develop. I did have a couple minor things I didn’t prefer but overall it was a great read and had some good Christian content.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Content: just kisses, only one bed scene, they also have to share a cabin after getting drenched but it’s survival, he is shirtless and she checks him out a little

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
What a delightful reimagining and coupling of Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. Letty and Philip were a perfect couple made up of feisty heroine and a chivalrous hero. Rusty the wolf was a fun addition to the story. A sweet read.

Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure we went on! With dragons, and wolves, and heroes. All the makings of a grand fairytale- but better because we had a fabulous Pinkerton agent, wild adventures, and a fantastically strong heroine.

I loved this story and it took everything in me to put it down to go to work. But once I was home I was HOOKED and had to finish it!

This story was full of action, and danger while ALWAYS coming back to the Lord. The prayers & the scripture! *chefs kiss* There were so many powerful quotes and statements. The scriptures were perfectly placed & timed.

I LOVED Letty! Her can-do character was admirable. She never let her situation get her down and though she was cautious she was not cold hearted.

Philip was such a great, strong, protective character! I loved his interactions with Rusty but his heart for people and the Lord shined brightly.

Seriously, this story was fantastic from the beginning and I LOVED the Little Red Riding Hood inspiration. It was fun, fast paced, and filled with love.

5/5 stars

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series. The characters, the settings and the fairytale feels.

Cloaked in Beauty has everything you could ask for in a little red riding hood retelling. Big bad wolf (literally and figuratively), sweet grandma, brave hero and a red cloak to boot. I really liked the sweet romance and the mystery surrounding the main character. Although I will say I felt like the main character should have fought more to stay in the woods, since she was so used to it, lol. But then we wouldn't have a story. I really liked the journey the two characters went on, making their way back to the town that our character Letty was from, and the dangers they faced kept me reading.


*thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book to read, all thoughts are my own.

[Heather Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kept turning pages, anxious to see Phiip and Letty's respect for each other grow and for Letty to get to safety. For having lived such a sheltered life, she's strong and capable as a woman but both she and her mother use those qualities to help vulnerable children and speak up for the helpless and not as a means to further their own feminist agenda or career goals and I really respect people who use their strength in this way. Sometimes she makes choices to not listen to others because she knows the right thing to do and is compelled to do it. Would make for an interesting conversation in a book club.
I love the solidly Christian feel of the book all throughout and the way their faith is something the characters use, lean on, and grow in. Philip is a man of character and I appreciate the role model of someone who respects a woman and doesn't take advantage of his position with her despite his growing feelings.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ebook so I can write an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious to see how a blend of two different fairy tales would work, and the author totally pulled it off! For me it was because she took elements from each story and worked them into the new setting, and didn't try to closely retell either story. That way it is fun when you notice a subtle nod to the fairy tales or see how a plot line relates to one or both stories. Letty has been isolated with her grandmother and "pet" wolf, but it has strengthened her and prepared her for the fight to reunite with her mother. Philip admires her from their first meeting, and his regard grows as they get to know one another in tension-filled circumstances. I enjoyed the pace of the suspenseful story as they journey towards Letty's future but also the danger that threatens her, with various roadblocks that must be overcome with their combined skills and faith.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cover of this book is absolutely beautiful! And the story inside is so beautiful, too.

The main characters in Cloaked in Beauty were such genuinely nice people, who both loved God. They were honorable and kind and it was fun to see romantic feelings bloom between them on their journey to return Letty to her mother.

I loved the way this story captured the essence of Sleeping Beauty, with nods to Red Riding Hood in it, as well. It was similar enough to facets of both fairy tales, while retaining its own personality, too.

Cloaked in Beauty pretty much had it all! There was budding romance, a solid faith thread, some danger and adventure, an historical western setting, a canine companion in the form of a wolf, all wrapped up within a fairy tale theme. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Alayna | Literarily Persuaded · Rating 4 out of 5]

We aren’t going to talk about how late I stayed up to finish this one ;)
It’s super cute!

Y’all, this was the first time in ages that I stayed up super late to finish a book. I just couldn’t help myself, it was that cute!
With every book I read from Karen, I’m realizing just how adorable her writing is! And I specifically LOVE her fairytale retelling series. I’ll admit, it took me a bit to realize that it was based on two fairytales, and not just one.
This story was such an adventure, with all the makings of a perfect fairytale! Wolves and villains, heroes and (obviously!) a good dose of romance!

The book was perfectly filled with action, romance and scripture! I loved how every time, it always went back to faith!
The characters were amazing! With grandmother and her wisdom, Letty and her cheerful attitude and my favourite Pinkerton agent (a Pinkerton agent in a fairytale retelling y’all!!!) Phillip!!
Absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves fairytale-esque stories, western settings and super cute romance! (The whole series is like that btw)

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
Cloaked in Beauty is the most recent installment in the "Texas Ever After" series. This is a combination of Sleeping Beauty and Red Riding Hood. If you are looking for a very close and vivid retellings of classic fairy tales with a western twist....then looked no further than the Texas Ever After series. This series is so superb and Cloaked In Beauty was a fantastic addition to the series and I fell so captivated by this series. It was fascinating to see how this series was built. I was so intrigued in the way in which these two retellings were blended and she definitely made it work so well. Every time I read this author, I am overwhelmed in all of the feelings she portrays flawlessly.

First Line
Nightmares were supposed to stop once little girls woke up, but when five-year-old Scarlette Radcliffe opened her eyes, things only got worse.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Phillip Carmichael
The Heroine: Letty Hood

Summary
Letty Hood was hidden away with her grandmother secretly in a cabin in the woods, when her father was killed and her uncle attempted to kill her in a fire. Her mother hid her away until such time she could claim her inheritance. But now she is at the time of adulthood, and her mother is ready to bring her home. When she learns that her uncle may have located her, her mother hires Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael to find her daughter and bring her home. Philip manages to find Letty before her uncle's men do, but they are on a time crunch, and through their journey in the back woods, and her pet wolf they journey slowly back to her mother and safety. There is a attraction and deep love that forms between them....but Philip is beneath Letty in class and wealth and wonders if she will still want him by her side when she goes back to the world she was born into...

What I Loved
Cloaked in Beauty was a endearing retelling and this author is pure magic for me! I couldn't put this one down and I just fell so deep for Letty and Philip. This combined retelling really came to life with such vibrancy and poignant emotion. I really appreciated in how this author brought such balance to this series. This romance was such a blast. I loved both characters, and they really balanced each other out. And this had another heroine was was mature, took control when needed, and had such a loving heart. I loved how fiery she could be but also balanced it out with a soft and gentle nature. Her pet wolf was such a nice touch to the series. The romance that builds between Philip and Letty was slow at times, but their banter was witty and almost had a magical charm to it that constantly tugged at my heartstrings. They make such a great pair together and that ending was everything.

What I Struggled With
Not much honestly. I do wish we saw more kissing and affection but I know its an inspirational romance so you don't see so much of that. But it delivered in many ways.

Narration
Brilliant. She really captures this author's writing style so well and really pulls me into the story.

Overall View
Cloaked in Beauty is a captivating retelling that is packed with wit, charm and a light touch of spiritual focus to inspire and endear from beginning to end.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Inspirational Romance, Set in American West/Frontier
Character Types: Private Investigator, Protector
Themes: Western, Animal Lovin', Heart/Emotionally Touching
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Fairy Tale Retelling-Sleeping Beauty & Red Riding Hood

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Mary Connealy
Laura Frantz
Tracie Peterson

Recommendation For Reading Order
Standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Barbarah McCulloh

[Last Chance Saloon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and worthy, with likeable main characters and a pet wolf (my favourite part).

[Courtney | Soul of a Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. 💛

Letty and Phillip have a special place in my heart. I know I said the last book in this series was my favorite so far, but I believe this one is officially my favorite of the series. It pulls on the heartstrings in all of the right ways! I loved Letty's journey of growth as she discovered her identity in the Lord. What a kind reminder to all readers that God has the final say when it comes to our identity, worth, and value.

I always love Witemeyer's trademark humor and her romantic moments between her main characters are absolutely precious. Sprinkle in some spiritual truths, a good old-fashioned villain, and side characters that steal the show (I'm looking at you, Rusty), and you have the perfect Karen Witemeyer experience in this novel. I highly encourage fans of historical Christian romance to read this one! You won't regret it.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series. Western fairy tales could have ended up really cheesy, but Karen Witemeyer has done such a great job of weaving well-known fairytales in Texas into unique and captivating stories. And what's so fun with this one is that it wasn't just one fairy tale. I'm embarrassed to admit that it took me a large portion of the book to catch onto the Sleeping Beauty elements. I was so focused on the most obvious Little Red Riding Hood elements, that I missed the other entirely for far too long. I loved experiencing Letty and Philip's story and seeing how every element wove together and unfolded and I can't wait to read Karen's next Western fairytale.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun twist on not one but two classic fairytales combined with Old West charm made for a fun, engaging finale to this series!
The writing style immediately drew me in as did Letty's journey from hiding from dangerous family, to embarking on an adventure across Texas with an equally feisty and determined agent, and ultimately proving her bravery and faith in an unseen God despite the dangerous odds she could see against her. Such an important and relatable message of faith and a way to honor our powerful God!
I also loved how she had a pet wolf! Between the shenanigans that come with having a wild animal as a pet and the banter between her and Phillip, there was definitely humor added to the story.
The only things that kept this from being five stars personally were some slower parts, some slightly cheesy content, and situations that came across as unrealistic to me, but-hey!- it is a fairytale retelling.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is no problem bigger than God. Remember that.”
A wonderfully creative retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a Texas twist.
Letty Hood/ Scarlet Radcliff, with her grandmother, is in hiding from her Uncle Drake aka The Dragon. But in this story, the wolf is a pet and protcts her. Enter our hero, Philip Carmichael, a Pinkerton Agent, tracking Letty who is very well hidden. As her birthday grows closer-so does danger. Uncle Drake does not want her to reach her 21st birthday when she gains controlling interest in the company her father left to her. Drake wants it all!
Clever, exciting, complicated story with a solid faith message that showcases honorable Philip championing Letty. “She need not fear the evil stalking her, for her Shepherd was with her. Along with her Pinkerton. She would trust them both to see her through whatever came.”
I am really enjoying these fairytale re-imaginings from a talented author.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author as well as a digital copy via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clean historical romance with adventure, faith and hope.

This creative and inspiring western take on a few fairytales is set in 1896, Texas, featuring a young woman in danger and a Pinkerton agent sent to escort her safely back home. It is an epic road trip with peril and some personal struggles along the way. There are touching moments and romantic tension between the pair as they journey along.

"There's no problem bigger than our God. Remember that."
Scarlett, or Letty as she prefers, is a kind-hearted, courageous young woman. She was easy to root for in her difficult situation. Her grandmother is full of wisdom and encouragement. The nods to Red Riding Hood are fun, complete with a sweet (but tough) grandmother and a wolf as a pet. A bit of Sleeping Beauty is seen too in Phillip, who is a prince of a man. Their romance is indeed charming and he is a terrific hero.

A satisfying read for those who enjoy romantic historical adventures. Should be fine for older teens and up. 4.5 stars

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley as part of a LibraryThing giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.)

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love Karen Witemeyer’s book and Cloaked in Beauty was no exception! She combined “Little Red Riding Hood” with “Sleeping Beauty” so well. It’s set during the late 1800s in Texas which also makes this fairytale retelling even more fun.🥰

I loved Letty’s optimistic spirit and kind heart. She had a quiet strength that was beautiful.
I loved how respectfully and sweetly Philip treated Letty! He was such a wonderful, protective hero.💗

The romance was SO sweet! I loved watching them develop a friendship and watch it grow into more! I loved their mutual respect for one another and how kindly they treated one another.🥰

I love books where the characters have to go on a journey together, especially in historical fiction when they are traveling by horse. Since they were having to travel undercover in this book, it also added the element of suspense to the story. Not only do I enjoy reading about the journey but I love watching the main characters get to know each other and fall in love as they travel.

It was wonderful to see Letty reunite with her mother after so many years apart.💗

The faith was also woven in so beautifully!

In conclusion, I loved this cozy story! It had the sweetest romance and wonderful characters. If you love historical fiction fairytale retellings, this was a great one!

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Cute feels like such a paltry word to use to describe this lovely adventure, but it really was so very… cute!

A mash up between Sleeping Beauty & Little Red Riding Hood, Witemeyer gifted us a tender story with fresh twists while remaining familiar to the original tales.

There’s been chatter in the book community about being back “yearning” in romance instead of insta-love and passion. Well, this was a book of sweet yearning. In between all the forced proximity, fleeing for survival, being mistaken for a married couple, and having a giant wolf for a chaperone, Letty & Philip fall in love. But it’s tempered by their values of restraint & wanting to keep things proper, while built on trust & respect. It was wholesome.

And I will never not cackle at Philip’s private opinions and standoffs with Rusty, the perfect wolf sidekick. 😂

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I adored Witemeyer’s Snow White retelling in Fairest of Heart, and I loved her reverse Cinderella in If the Boot Fits, but y’all… Cloaked in Beauty is my very fave of these standalone western fairy tale retellings. Which I wasn’t expecting because the fairy tales it covers are typically my least preferred. But there’s something just so endearing about Philip and Letty as individual characters, as a team, and as a couple… and I couldn’t help but fall head over heels for their story.

From the moment we meet a scared-but-brave little Letty in the novel’s prologue, she captured my heart. And as we reacquaint ourselves with her as a young woman who has been sequestered in the Texas backwoods, hidden away from everyone except her grandmother for her safety, I continued to admire her courage as well as her resilient spirit and sweet heart. The uncle who wants her dead has no clue who he’s up against, and I loved it. And whether she’s galloping through the forest with her trusty wolf Rusty at her side or stepping into her role as heiress, she stays true to herself and to God, and I loved that too.

And then we have Philip… oh goodness, I adored him. This Pinkerton agent hired to find Letty and bring her safely home remains a man of integrity from beginning to end, and I would not have wanted her to be paired with anyone else. His wry sense of humor, particularly seen in his inner commentary, had me grinning besottedly as did his honor of Letty during some less than ideal travel conditions. I loved his heart of gold, his valiant spirit, and his quiet steadiness. And yes, while I of course swooned over the romance that grows between he and Letty (including his reactions to her unrequested shows of affection toward him lol), it was the begrudging friendship between Philip and Rusty (Letty’s pet wolf) that completely endeared me to Philip in the long run.

Bottom Line: Part Little Red Riding Hood and part Sleeping Beauty (with a small nod to Beauty & the Beast too), Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is wholly swoonworthy, emotionally layered, and so much fun! Letty and Philip had me cheering for them all the way through, whether it was for them to reach safety (and then stay safe) or to acknowledge their feelings for each other, and I loved discovering all the fairy tale nuggets that Witemeyer so cleverly tucks into their story. A special shout-out to the side characters like Rusty and Flora and Fellows who so delightfully steal their scenes (“I thought the knocker might be broken.”) and add such personality to this novel. Fabulously entertaining from prologue to the final word!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not well-versed in fairytales and I never "read" the whole Little Red Riding Hood story. All I remember is the wolf, the grandmother and the little girl with the red cloak. I didn’t know the story’s outcome. I also didn’t know there were alternate endings. (Had to Google it to find out).

So when I read this book, it didn’t seem to me like it was a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but I guess it was, in a sense. At least the ending of one version is similar to this.

In Cloaked in Beauty the main character, Letty, was not skipping along to visit her grandmother with a basket. She was hiding for her life with Grandmother far away from her home. (Yes, in the woods) 😁

As her 21st birthday was approaching, something was supposed to happen, but she needed to be protected and returned home for that.

Philip Carmichael, a Pinkerton agent, is brought into the story in order to locate Letty and bring her back. Finding her and traveling back were incredible adventures.

This was a story where faith and integrity were dominant and so well done.

Easily a favorite for me this month!

Oh, and in this book, the "wolf" is not a bad guy, he’s a protector. Nice switch up.

[Tawni Suchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a red riding hood retelling with healthy doses of suspense and faith…this book will be perfect for you!
Letty and Phillip were characters you rooted for from the very start of the book. Their relationship although happening in a short period of time still developed slowly and intentionally. There was more suspense in this book than I expected and I loved it!
The faith was a HUGE part of the story, the characters’ faith playing out on the page in a strong and natural way. Their reliance on God despite the hopelessness of their circumstances.
The romance was so tender and sweet.
Like I said at the start of this review, if you like Little Red Riding Hood retellings and strong themes of faith, you’re going to love Cloaked in Beauty!

Ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️
💋

I received a complimentary copy but all opinions are my own.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun story! We meet Scarlett Radcliffe aka Letty Hood who has lived with her grandmother, hidden away from the man who wants her gone. Letty may very well have my favorite fictional animal!

Then we meet Philip Carmichael, a Pinkerton tasked with finding her. He's an honorable man who wants to get Letty home in one piece and not fall for her in the process. You can't help but love Letty's grandmother and root for them to get back to Houston safely! All she needs to do is make it to get 21st birthday. Too bad that proves treacherous.

Most of the story revolves around Philip and Letty working their way back to Houston. Because they have to avoid towns and people, their trek isn't an easy one. They have no choice but to get to know each other.

The story is infused with faith and hope! I love that Letty over and over puts her trust in the Lord. Philip turns to the Lord for strength throughout the story! You can feel the love growing, but they are intentional about not stoking that flame and making sure they put propriety front and center! What a breath of fresh air.

I received the book for review. This is my personal opinion.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet, exciting story from Karen Witemeyer! Cloaked in Beauty combines elements of the Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood fairy tales, plus plenty of surprises and Western charm. Philip and Letty were both relatable in their own ways, and Rusty the wolf was such a cute and fun “sidekick.” I know Karen has at least one more book coming in this series, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Definitely add this one to your TBR! 4.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great edition to this series. I loved the ties to Red Riding Hood, and Letty's spunk mixed with Philip's protectiveness was a winning combination.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third fairy tale rework in the Texas Ever After Series, with vibes of Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, is an engaging, cleverly plotted western story set in the late 1800s. The wonderful, well-crafted cast of characters is headlined by courageous and determined heiress Scarlett Radcliffe, alias Letty Hood, and honorable, dependable, handsome hero Pinkerton Agent Philip Carmichael. I enjoyed their adventurous journey to thwart her ruthless uncle’s plans and preserve her father’s legacy. I love the way they grow personally and in their relationship with each other through the danger and uncertainties they encounter on the journey. Rusty, Letty’s pet wolf, adds a delightfully unique element to the mix. I appreciate the encouraging faith aspect that flows naturally throughout the story reminding us of God’s caring, comfort, and guidance. A sneak preview of Ms. Witemeyer’s next series is a pleasing bonus! I think fans of fairy tales and historical romance will love this book and the series. Note: Each book in the series can easily be read as a standalone.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[JaneReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening scene made me want to know what was going on but then it felt like the tone changed and it took me a while to to get invested in the characters and the situation. However by the 60% mark I was fully invested and connected with the characters and needed to know what was going to happen, both with the situation and would they pursue a relationship. I loved Philip and the way he looked out for and treated Letty. Letty has not had much interaction with people over the years, but you wouldn't know that from the way she interacted with those she came across. There were some scenes that made me laugh out loud while others had me holding my breath. There is one scene in particular that was so well detailed that I felt like I was right there in the middle of the evilness happening. I am not well versed in fairytales, but I picked up the various nods to Little Red Riding Hood. (I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

[Rhonda (IG: growing_faith.reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of Karen Witemeyer’s books and Cloaked in Beauty was no exception.

My biggest complaint was the long narration sections of the character’s thoughts. The book could’ve been shorter, without all the ‘cogitations’, and the full story would’ve still been there.

I also felt that the book was a bit of an excuse to write a forced proximity story. It wasn’t spicy, but I felt it often toed the line with no valid reason.

This is definitely not a slow burn romance. The two main characters, whose pov it alternates between, went from meeting to knowing they wanted to commit their lives to each other within days.

I liked how all the situations Letty was in throughout the story culminated in what she did at the end with her wealth and for Philip.

A few of my favourite quotes:

"God's already seen your future…Nothing you're about to encounter is a surprise to Him. You might not be able to see past this moment, but He can. Trust Him to lead you and stand by your side through every danger and uncertainty you face. You're not alone…you're never alone." pg. 112

“The shooter got away.” He spat the words out as if they disgusted him.” pg. 258

“It’s just a graze.” He tried to shrug off her concern, but she proved unshruggable.” pg. 290

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you read for another Texas fairy tale retelling? Cloaked in Beauty blends Little Red Riding Hood with Sleeping Beauty for a romantic adventure with a little danger thrown in for good measure.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has been given an unusual task. Scarlett Radcliffe has been hidden away since she was a child, cared for by her grandmother and her faithful pet wolf. Though her father's death was ruled an accident, Scarlett's mother believes her uncle was behind the tragedy and that he will go further and harm Scarlett in order to claim as much of the family wealth for himself as he can. Now that Scarlett's twenty-first birthday is approaching, the time has come to find Scarlett and bring her home to claim her inheritance and legally move it out of her uncle's grasp.

While Philip is up for the hunt, he's unprepared for the depth of his feelings that blossom for Scarlett, now known as Letty, once she's in his care. He cannot take advantage of such a sheltered and generous young woman, but how could he do less than fall in love with her?

If you enjoy romantic fairy tale retellings, you'll love this one. I personally felt the love story was a little too prominent, and Letty as an isolated character didn't ring true for me. Uncle Drake was also entirely one-dimensional as a villain.

However, readers who enjoy getting swept away and suspending disbelief might be thrilled by the very things that bothered me, so I hope you'll check out the book for yourself. It's imaginative and you'll enjoy recognizing pieces of the fairy tales as they come across the page.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big sucker for a retelling story – they are some of my favorite reads. Karen Witemeyer has put my love for them on a whole new level. My favorite story of all time is Beauty and the Beast – I mean Belle’s love for reading says it all. BUT……. Cloaked in Beauty is my new favorite retelling (sorry Belle!). The way she brought Little Red Riding Hood to life in this story was simply stunning. The cape, the wolf, grandma, the Pinkerton…..it all was just so wonderfully written and put together.

Phillip and Letty shared so many swoon worthy moments – and I truly enjoyed them together on the page rather than apart. They had amazing chemistry. Like uh-mazing lol. But as much as I enjoyed their chemistry, I really enjoyed seeing their character growth throughout the story. I won’t say much about that – you need to experience it for yourself – but it was encouraging to me. I appreciate that Witemeyer doesn’t shy away from a faith thread. It’s not preachy by any stretch of the imagination – it’s just effortlessly weaved into the story.

I’ve been a fan of Witemeyer’s for a long time now, so I’m not surprised I loved this book so much. I am surprised it has easily climbed it’s way to the top of my favorites list. I recently heard her interviewed in a podcast where she mentioned making more of these stories and let me tell you – I am here for it! But while I’m waiting, I will probably reread this one a time or two!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Patrice Doten · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this cute Red Riding Hood retelling set in Gilded Age Texas, the characters are lovable, the setting is fun, and the animals add a touch of sweet whimsy. I liked the first two books in the series better than this one, mainly because I’m not really a romance genre reader at heart. I read historical romance by authors like Karen Witemeyer who often have very impactful character arcs and spiritual themes (I also like history, and there’s a shortage of non-romance historical Christian fiction authors). But I know they’re still romance writers so some of their books will focus less on spiritual themes and character growth and more on physical attraction and temptations than I care for, and some will have romance tropes (e.g. we’re drenched and have to spend the night alone together nekkid while our clothes dry by the fire, so we don’t die of consumption) that I dislike. This was one of those books for me. I still liked it, though, and romance readers will undoubtedly love it just as much as the other books in the series.
Audiobook note: The narrator does a fine job with the secondary characters’ dialogue, but her voices for Philip and Letty sound far too often like baby talk, which I found super annoying.